The words "imperial" and "tiny teacup" are sometimes used interchangeably to describe undersized Shih Tzu. In fact, the terms "imperial" or "tiny teacup" should be regarded as what they really are.... A MYTH often used by unethical breeders to create a market for dogs that do not conform to the breed standard. These tiny dogs are NOT what the Shih Tzu has been since it was developed as a distinctive breed in China ’s imperial palace, nor what it ought to be.

Maybe you read an ad in your local newspaper, searched the Internet, or know of someone who acquired a Shih Tzu using the words "imperial" or "tiny teacup" to describe how unusual and special (and even more expensive?) their dog might be. The official breed standard approved by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the American Shih Tzu Club (ASTC) calls for a weight range of 9 to 16 pounds.

A breed standard is a written description of the ideal dog of a particular breed by which it is bred and judged at dog shows. Breed standards are used by all canine organizations. The first written standard for Shih Tzu was that of the Peking Kennel Club, in 1938, which stated that the ideal weight for Shih Tzu was 10 to 15 pounds. Today, Shih Tzu breed standards approved by purebred dog registries around the world are very similar to the 1938 Peking Kennel Club standard. They recognize that one of the distinguishing characteristics of the Shih Tzu is that it is not a fragile dog. It is very solid and sturdy despite its relatively compact size.

Why would anyone want to steer away from the weight called for in the AKC-approved breed standard or to call the breed by anything but its AKC-recognized name? Could it be a fad they have created in order to obtain a higher price for a dog that does not meet the breed standard? These particular breeders have deliberately downsized an already designated Toy breed. By doing this, they risk the overall health and wonderful distinguishing breed characteristics that responsible breeders have worked long and hard to preserve. The same is true of "breeders" who deliberately cross-breed two different AKC-recognized breeds to create what they call "designer dogs."

Many of the less than reputable breeders of undersized Shih Tzu claim that their Shih Tzu possess the "imperial" gene. There is no proof that such a gene exists. Size reduction occurs by breeding the smallest dog in a litter to another small dog of another litter, and so on and so forth. This not only creates abnormally small Shih Tzu, but also puppies that may have health problems. This is not indicative of an "imperial gene," but rather of poor breeding practices.

A responsible breeder does not advertise an occasional "runt" as an "imperial" or "tiny teacup" Shih Tzu. Rather, it is sold as a pet, solely as a companion dog that is not to be used for breeding. Responsible breeders strive to breed healthy dogs that conform to the breed standard. The ideal Shih Tzu is a sturdy, active, healthy dog with good substance for its size. Those desiring a very tiny pet should choose another breed rather than destroying the very characteristics that make the Shih Tzu such an ideal companion.

There is no such thing as an AKC-recognized Imperial or Tiny Teacup Shih Tzu. Any domestic registry other than the American Kennel Club is not recognized by the American Shih Tzu Club. Breeders using alternative registries may have lost their AKC registration and breeding privileges for various reasons.

"DESIGNER DOGS"

http://americanshihtzuclub.org/designer_dogs

"Designer dog" is a label given to dogs that involve the deliberate cross-breeding of two different breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Like the designations "Imperial" or "Tiny Teacup" Shih Tzu, such labels are a myth generally used by unethical breeders to create a demand - and charge high prices -for mixed-breed or undersized (and often unhealthy) dogs. Trendy mutts, whatever fancy names they may be given, are still just that - mutts.

The solid, sturdy, and compact Shih Tzu, with its unique pushed-in face, wide-eyed, trusting expression, and friendly temperament, was developed as a distinctive breed long ago in China's imperial palace. It is a breed that deviates considerably from the generic, wolf-like dog, with its longer nose, narrower head, and more closely-set eyes.

Evidence from accidental cross-breedings clearly demonstrates that many of the most highly prized and distinguishing characteristics of the Shih Tzu are genetically recessive. Once lost by poor breeding practices, the recessives that make a Shih Tzu a Shih Tzu can never be recaptured. This is one reason that poorly-bred pet shop. Shih Tzu often bear little resemblance to the gorgeous, elegant Shih Tzu seen in the show ring.

Imagine how much more swiftly these genetic traits are lost when someone deliberately crosses a Shih Tzu with another breed, be it Pekingese, Poodle, or Yorkshire Terrier. Puppies from the first generation cross may look appealing—or not—and you have no idea what they will grow up to be in terms of looks, health, or temperament. They may, in fact, just as easily inherit the worst genes of both their parents, rather than the best. The qualities of puppies from the second or later generations of these so-called "designer dogs" are, of course, even less predictable, given the recessive nature of many of the Shih Tzu's most distinguishing traits.

It has taken many, many generations of careful breeding to fix the qualities that make our breed so appealing. A responsible breeder always strives to breed healthy dogs that conform to the breed standard - a written description of the ideal dog of a particular breed by which it is bred and judged at dog shows. The official breed standard for the Shih Tzu approved by the American Kennel Club and the American Shih Tzu Club is based on the first written standard for Shih Tzu, that of the Peking Kennel Club, in 1938. Why would anyone want to steer away from the AKC-approved breed standard that describes the breed we all love so well? Could the “designer dog” simply be a fad they have created in order to obtain a higher price for a mixed-breed dog that otherwise would usually be given away? A responsible breeder does not deliberately plan litters based on their trendiness or marketability. In fact, anyone found to be deliberately breeding and selling "designer dogs" is not eligible for membership in the American Shih Tzu Club.

OPEN FONTANELS
By Jo Ann White

When puppies of various breeds (and human babies too) are born, the bony plates of the skull are separated and somewhat soft, allowing them to flex as the puppy passes through the birth canal. After birth, these plates gradually fuse and become rigid. The last place to fill in and solidify is the spot at the top of the skull where the four skull plates meet. If these plates do not fuse, we are left with a soft, unprotected spot at the top of the head that is called an open fontanel. In some very tiny breeds, particularly Chihuahuas, the fontanel may never close.

Very rarely, a puppy with an open fontanel may have a serious medical problem called hydrocephalus (water on the brain). Too much fluid within and around the brain creates pressure that may damage or prevent the development of critical brain tissue. A hydrocephalic puppy will usually exhibit symptoms such as seizures, blindness, lack of coordination, walking in circles, an enlarged dome, etc., by the time it is four months old. There is no treatment for hydrocephalus.

In a normal-sized Shih Tzu an open fontanel usually closes by the time the puppy is about four weeks old, and almost always by the time it is four months old. If it does not, it still may close later. A puppy with an open fontanel can live out a normal life with certain precautions. Responsible Shih Tzu breeders are very careful to place the rare puppy with an open fontanel in a home without other pets or small children, and insist that it not be bred. The new owners are cautioned to avoid careless grooming, hits to the head, or falls, as an injury to this unprotected spot could cause possibly cause serious brain damage. Special care must be taken because the puppy is totally unaware that it has any problem and is as lively and active as any other youngster.

The issue of open fontanels is just one more reason to avoid the undersized Shih Tzu sometimes marketed as “imperial” or “teacup” Shih Tzu. The AKC standard calls for Shih Tzu to be compact and solid, with a mature weight of 9 to 16 pounds. This is a breed that is a “big dog in a little package.” Almost always, adult Shih Tzu with open fontanels are undersized. Any adult Shih Tzu with an open fontanel, or one that has produced puppies with fontanels that never close, should not be bred. Additional information about undersized Shih Tzu and so-called “designer dogs” can be found on the recently redesigned American Shih Tzu Club website at www.americanshihtzuclub.org

Reprinted from the June 2009 AKC Gazette with permission of the author.

The Shih Tzu is a toy dog of small stature and enormous heart. This lovable little dog is often a spoilt member of the family; if you own a Shih Tzu you will understand the love their owners feel for their!
If you want to show off your beautiful, purebred Shih Tzu at competitions on any level then you will need to familiarize yourself with the standards and requirements.
The American Kennel Club has clearly defined guidelines when it comes to what kinds of physical attributes your Shih Tzu will need to exhibit.
If you want to show, breed or are just interested in learning about the Shih Tzu Breed then here are some things you can do. Ask your breeder, your Vet, use the Internet and learn everything you can about Shih Tzu's.
The breed specifications are long and detailed for the Shih Tzu to account for many of the variations.
Summary of general breed specifications:
Overall Appearance:
The Shih Tzu is sturdy and lively with a long flowing double coat. A proud bearing and a distinctively arrogant manner with the head generally carried well up and a curved tail which rests on the back.
There is a great variation on the size of the Shih Tzu but the dog must carry a good weight and give an overall impression of a compact, solid and well built dog.
Size, Proportion, Substance
The ideal weight for adult dogs is anywhere within the range of 9 to 16 pounds. The highest point of the back (known as the withers) should be not less than 8 inches. The ideal Shih Tzu should be well proportioned. The length between the withers and the root of the tail is slightly longer than the height at the withers. The dog may not appear to be 'leggy' or conversely may not appear dumpy or squatty. Substance - Regardless of size, the Shih Tzu is compact solid
Head
The head should be round, broad, with a wide space between eyes. The head must appear to be in balance with the overall size of the dog. The Shih Tzu should have a warm, sweet, wide-eyed, friendly and trusting. AN overall well-balanced, pleasant _expression is the most important aspect of the features of the head.
The judges carefully examine beyond the hair to determine if what is seen is the actually head and shape or if careful grooming has been used to cover faults.
Faults
- Narrow Head
- Close-set eyes
- Small, close-set or light eyes
- Excessive eye white
- Snippiness
- Lack of definite stop
- Pink on nose, lips or eye rims
- Overshot bite
Competing with your Shih Tzu
Of course if you want to show your Shih Tzu you will need to read as much as possible on the subject. Read everything you can and discuss
The breed standards can differ from country to country and also even within various breed organizations. Generally you can be sure that even between different judges there are limits as to what is consider a variant and what is considered to be a fault. Interpretation varies as do judges tastes.
The Shih Tzu standard is made up with fanciers, breeder's nation wide. If you do not plan to show your Shih Tzu then just about any puppy will do. These are some good guidelines in what to look for but being exact is not necessary. If you have found the cutest, healthiest little puppy then that is all your family will need.

These name branding existed for the sake of credence but in fact it's part of marketing tactic. A dog that did not grow to conform the breed standard is simply called undersized or runt. Shih Tzu were not designed to be as small as Chihuahuas wherein open fontanel or molera is accepted.

Imperial Shih Tzu - http://americanshihtzuclub.org/imperial

Open Fontanel - http://americanshihtzuclub.org/open_fontanels

2. Triple Coated Shih Tzu

Shih Tzu breed standard calls for a "double coat". It is a mixture of soft and coarse hair, the undercoat and the guard coat. Maltese & Yorkies are "single coated" breeds. Their coat is called hair not fur, fur is for chow chow, husky, and pomeranian kind of coat.

There is no such thing as a triple coat, dogs that have a very thick and voluminous hair should not be called triple coated.

3. Tricolor and Rare Color

Hair color is either solid or bicolor, many mistakenly count the black hair on its ears as one color making most shih tzu tricolored. Shih Tzu can produce various shades of colors. There are no mahogany, orange, purple, etc.

Shih Tzu color and markings should not be an issue at all unless it contradicts the breed standard. All colors are permissible and should be judged equally. Asymmetrically marked is as desirable as perfectly marked dog. Since the breed isn't calling for marking specifics, name branding such as blanket type and the like are irrational.

5. Smooth Coated or Short Coated Type

Some unscrupulous breeders crossbreed clandestinely and claim to produce a legit throwback also wishing to be registered as a new breed.

Designer Dogs - http://americanshihtzuclub.org/designer_dogs

6. Stud is responsible with the number of puppies (All Breed)

False ads like "proven stud - produces certain # of pups" are rampant due to ignorance and some deliberately intend to deceive people for the sake of moneymaking stud services. The stud dog is responsible with the sex of the offsprings and the dam dictates the number of puppies in a litter.